Prime Minister vetoes extension of Air India’s CMD tenure

New Delhi:The Modi government has over-ruled its own civil aviation ministry’s recommendation for a two-year extension of tenure of Air India chairman and managing director (CMD) Rohit Nandan, by granting only a three-month extension to Mr. Nandan on Tuesday and ordering that the process of appointment of a new CMD be started immediately.

“Mr. Nandan will continue as the CMD for just three months more. The Modi government has made it clear that they want another person to head national carrier Air India,” said a government source. Sources said civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju who belongs to BJP ally TDP may have been informally consulted by the PMO over the matter before the final decision was taken and ministry sources say the aviation ministry has no objections on the final decision. Mr. Nandan was appointed by the then UPA-2 government.